Course topics

As the leader, it’s your job to make sure everyone is working toward the same goal. That involves effective communication. The way we communicate is constantly changing, but how to communicate effectively isn’t. Explore the methods of persuasive communication to get buy-in for your vision and plan. When you’re done with this module, communicating through public speaking or digital channels will come naturally.

Communication Styles 
Presented by Christy Pruitt-Haynes 
Many people believe that language is the only barrier to effective communication, but two people can hear the same words and interpret them in very different ways. Whether it’s your spouse, your boss or your direct reports, there are always people you can communicate with more easily. Learn why that is — and use that information to improve challenging relationships.

Communication with Confidence 
Presented by Kristie Kennedy 
Anyone can hold a microphone, dress in appealing attire and deliver a message. The question is: Can you hook and hold an audience from beginning to end and leave them salivating for more? This is what separates the good from the great! Learn the keys to overcoming confidence killers such as anxiety, timidness and imposter syndrome.
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Communication and Empathy 
Presented by Anita Silva 
Learn simple ways to communicate more efficiently by being empathic with your team. You’ll come to the realization that empathy is not agreement, but a way of understanding the people you lead. Harness that understanding to build stronger relationships and a stronger team.

Communicating in the Digital Age 
Presented by Dr. Cassandra LeClair 
Technology plays an increasingly important role in our society. Explore your personal relationship with technology and your preferences for digital communication. Learn the barriers that prevent effective digital communication and the boundaries you need to know.

Ethical Communication 
Presented by Dr. Cassandra LeClair 
We all face moments when we question whether our behavior is truly appropriate. Dig deep into the elements of ethical communication and see examples across various contexts. Explore ways to recognize areas for personal improvement and how to handle a situation where someone else crosses a line.
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Crisis Communication 
Presented by Heather McClellan 
When there is a crisis, it is your job to step up and be a strong leader. Your team will look to you for honest answers and reassurance. Even when it’s impossible to know what’s going to happen, there are effective ways to create calm and confidence among your people and in yourself.

Active Listening 
Presented by Heather McClellan 
Create more trust in your team by actively listening. Your team will enjoy more rapport, be more effective and feel less likely to burn out. Learn the components of active listening — and practice it to see what it feels like when others are talking. 

Every event needs a “wow” factor, whether it’s for five attendees or 5,000. Learn to plan in-person and virtual events people will remember. These skills will help you keep your team organized and focused on the mission.

Event Planning Phases 
Presented by Zmaja Popovic 
Learn to plan any type of event — from a local gathering to an international celebration. In this segment, you’ll learn how to define and communicate the event’s vision and mission and set the objectives before moving to the practical aspects of time, date and place. By the end of the lesson, you’ll increase your understanding and knowledge of the processes and resources needed to host a successful event.

Event Planning: Internal and External Communication 
Presented by Zmaja Popovic 
Communication can significantly impact the success of any event. When it is not done well, it’s very visible and brings a negative image. In this session, we will focus on understanding basic definitions — and the differences between internal and external communication, including aims, methods and target groups.

Feedback That Grows Your Event’s Impact 
Presented by Karla Merrell 
Event evaluations are the most effective way to measure what’s working and what isn’t. Highly engaging events keep your audience coming back for everything from monthly meetings to annual fundraisers. Learn which questions are the right ones to ask so your data accurately reflects the opinions of attendees, sponsors and members.

Creating a Culture of Inclusion in Event Planning 
Presented by Megan Wyett Lennon 
Create an event that leaves your attendees feeling included and committed to the mission. You can take a few simple steps to show them they matter. This session will provide a robust checklist of actions you can take — from the initial planning to marketing and cost— to show inclusivity through your actions.

Partnership Development Strategies to Develop More Effective and Impactful Events 
Presented by Brittany Collins 
With everyone and everything vying for attention, many organizations are finding success through strategic partnerships. The benefits can include combined resources, efforts and audiences. Uncover which organizations have similar audiences and priorities, and learn to pitch partnerships to them.

Meaningful Meetings 
Presented by Dan Faill 
A recent study found that people would rather go to the dentist or be on the phone with their cable provider than attend a work meeting. With an average of three to five meetings every day, how many of those could have been done with an email? It’s time to reimagine meetings. Learn the tips, tricks and truths on how to make them more meaningful.
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Creating Powerful Moments 
Presented by Alex Weber 
Moments that move us, connect us and bond us cut through the noise better than anything else. Powerful moments can bring teams together as they create something impactful. But powerful moments don’t just happen — they need to be set up with care and attention to detail.
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Studies prove that teams rich with diversity achieve greater results. Discover how to make all members feel included and valued — and become a leader who helps team members pour their authentic selves into a project. Learn how to manage a team that includes people of various races, religions, ages and other dimensions of personal identity.

Intersections of Identity 
Presented by Nicole Inclan 
Personal identity intersects at race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation and other dimensions that describe groups of people. Those identities can influence the access and power people are given in life. Understanding these components helps leaders understand why people do the things they do.

Inclusion, Exclusion and Pluralism: Part 1 
Presented by Dr. Kim Ramsey-White 
A leader may not intentionally exclude, marginalize or minimize people, but sometimes it happens subconsciously. Inadvertent biases exist. Walk through an examination of attitudes, values and assumptions — both personally and organizationally — that help leaders better plan for a pluralistic work, educational or social milieu.
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Inclusion, Exclusion and Pluralism: Part 2 
Presented by Dr. Kim Ramsey-White 
Dr. Ramsey-White’s discussion about inclusion, exclusion and pluralism continues. Learn to identify physical characteristics, artifacts, organizational designs and policies that encourage and/or detract from an inclusive and pluralistic environment. Determine the tools that will help you reflect on your own leadership style — and ensure everyone is welcome.

Building Inclusive Teams and Organizations 
Presented by Bernice Feller-Thijm 
To achieve better results and create social equality, we must make room for everyone’s uniqueness. That requires a diversity of thoughts and perspectives. But it can be a challenge to get people from divergent backgrounds to work together. Solve the problem by linking individual potential and personal goals to the organization’s goals.
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Microaggressions 
Presented by Qy’Darrius McEachern 
Words matter, and word choice can influence group dynamics. Through powerful introspection and thought-provoking questions, learn how to approach inclusivity from an antiracist perspective — and challenge yourself to lead authentically.

The Generational Gap 
Presented by Tess Brigham 
There are currently five generations in the workplace. It’s critical to learn how to communicate effectively and understand what motivates the people you lead — and the people who lead you. Understand each generation, what influences them, what they value and what motivates them to be the most effective leader possible.
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 
Presented by Kathy O’Bear and Billy Hackett 
There is a lot of discussion these days about diversity, equity and inclusion (or DEI). What is DEI? Join Billy Hackett, a past president of Circle K International, and Dr. Kathy Obear for an introduction. 

It’s necessary to build a relationship and a rapport with your team. We’ll help you figure out the right way to create professional relationships. Even in the best circumstances, there wil be conflict. These tools will help you manage conflict with civility while building and maintaining trust with team members.

Coaching Conversations 
Presented by Céline Williams 
Nobody needs a coach, but people do their best when they have one. As a leader, one of your biggest responsibilities is to coach your team to help them do their best work. But how do you even begin? Start with the basics of a coaching conversation. Stay focused on development and growth rather than results.
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Feedback 
Presented by Céline Williams 
Giving feedback is ultimately about the person receiving feedback. It is imperative that leaders step into that conversation — good or bad — to give feedback in service of that person. Feedback needs to be specific, helpful, actionable and timely. It is your job to manage your own emotions and to ensure the situation doesn’t escalate unnecessarily.
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Accountability 
Presented by Chris Niles 
There are short- and long-term consequences when leaders fail to keep themselves — and their teams — accountable. Trust and credibility suffer. Improve your ability to hold yourself and others accountable by learning how to set clear and realistic expectations. Then discover strategies for handling setbacks when those expectations are not met.

Working with People Who Are Different Than Me 
Presented by Anita Silva 
Get a stronger awareness of the need for team members to balance each other in ability and personality. In this segment, you’ll work on your capacity for identifying strengths in colleagues — and in yourself — to transform personality clashes into opportunities for mutual growth.

The Importance of Checking Assumptions 
Presented by Heather McClellan 
An assumption is something accepted as true or considered certain to happen without proof. It’s natural to make assumptions or stories to explain the world around us. And it can be dangerous when our assumptions aren’t correct — even leading us to take actions that ruin our goals. Learn strategies to check and work through the assumptions you make.

Handling Challenging People and Situations 
Presented by Kyle Zamcheck 
Trust and communication are important in any team setting. But what can a leader do if they’re having problems with challenging people and situations? They should turn to the art of persuasion. The first step is cultivating a strong interpersonal relationship. Then develop stronger listening skills to identify how people communicate through their values.
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Conflict Resolution is Opportunity 
Presented by Jenn Whitmer 
Your leadership ability will rise or fall depending on how you handle conflict. In our personal and professional lives, knowing ourselves gives us the opportunity to change unhealthy conflict habits and bring our strengths to disagreements and difficulties. Identify your conflict resolution style and the best ways to manage your strengths and weaknesses during conflict.
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To achieve your goals, you need to convince someone to do something. Learn how to build your brand and market your product to outsiders. Discover the reasons for networking in person and through social media. Select the key performance indicators and discover the methods used to track the data.

Marketing 101 
Presented by Carrie Phair 
Marketing 101 is just what it sounds like — the basics for anyone new to marketing. This is a foundational course to become familiar with the concept. Learn the purpose of marketing, the different forms it can take and how you can apply it to all your individual needs.

Social Media Basics 
Presented by Nick Schreck 
We’re familiar with social media from a personal standpoint because we use it every day. But managing a social media account for an organization is different. Make sure you understand brand voice, algorithm operations, platform differences and targeted audiences.
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Social Media Analytics 
Presented by Nick Schreck 
Reviewing an account’s analytics can provide insights and real-time information on how people are interacting with a brand’s content. Great communicators use that data to make decisions that improve performance and hike conversion rates. But what’s important — and what just gives an ego boost? Discover the performance indicators that matter most.
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Swiping Right on Your Brand: Building a Head-turning Online Presence 
Presented by Lauren Beane 
They say your personal brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room. In today’s digital world, it’s increasingly difficult to showcase your true brand on social media and stand out. How you show up online is crucial to your success.
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Community-based Social Marketing and Strategic Communications 
Presented by Rebecca Sanborn Stone 
You want the biggest return on your investment when marketing your organization, product or event on social media. But the best results often don’t come from advertising to everybody. Instead, focus on just a few. It may seem counterintuitive, but the difference is substantial. Identifying a target audience is imperative.
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The Power of the Perfect Pitch 
Presented by Precious Williams 
An effective pitch revolves around creating strategic, personalized communications and presentations that cut through the clutter. Learn how from someone who knows a thing or two about crafting the perfect pitch.
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Meeting New People and Enjoying It 
Presented by Caroline Gutman 
We all know the importance of networking. But it doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Maybe a mind shift is all you need — meeting new people has shown to have physiological and psychological benefits. Next time you’re doing a networking event, be prepared to go into the three levels of “why” and leave others with a positive impression.

A team leader must decide the project’s goal before the project begins. Starting with the end in mind is a big part of strategic planning. We’ll walk you through the steps to break down your plan into manageable steps with an assessment process factored in, so you know if you’re on the right track.

Strategic Thinking 
Presented by Delroy Waugh 
Strategic thinkers are able to see the winding path they’ll have to take to reach the end goal. They’re able to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats along the way so they can stay focused on that end goal. Learn to think strategically instead of instinctively when making decisions.

Essential Strategy 
Presented by Nile Harris 
You know you’ve entered the strategy-to-execution gap when you believe you have a beautifully crafted strategy but you’re asking yourself, “Now what?” Learn how a well-defined strategy explains the “what” while a plan specifies the “how.”
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Goal Setting 
Presented by Dr. Erika Michalski 
To reach a goal, you must first define it. That definition should be SMART — specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-based. Each of these traits plays an important part in your development as a leader. Learn to set goals like scientists so you can leave behind the to-do list and achieve real results.
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Decision Mapping: Tools for Moving Forward With Clarity 
Presented by Michelle Florendo 
Decisions shape our lives. There are tiny, insignificant ones and large, consequential ones. As a leader, you make decisions that shape teams, organizations, morale and more. Discover the tool that organizes relevant information better than a pros-and-cons list does. And learn to make better decisions with less stress and more clarity.
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Creative Problem Solving 
Presented by Victoria D’Ambrozio 
Creativity is a muscle we can strengthen to increase our problem solving abilities. When we understand how our subconscious minds function, we can use that information to our advantage. See solutions and opportunities that you otherwise wouldn’t notice.
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Leading Through Change 
Presented by Anne Bonney 
Change is hard. As leaders, we not only need to deal with our own challenges with change, but we need to effectively handle our team’s reactions to it. Learn to appreciate why change is difficult for most people — and identify ways to deal with team members who resist change. Define strategies for communicating change so you minimize resistance while maintaining positivity and productivity.
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The Five Ps of Success 
Presented by Craig Crawford 
Today’s leaders can benefit from a strategy to implement goals and plans successfully by following the five P’s: passion, persistence, planning, people and positivity. Develop your own P’s and create an action plan to move forward. 

A leader’s job is to stay focused on the goals. If you get distracted, your team will lose focus. Learn the techniques that will help you balance your mental and physical wellbeing with the task at hand.

Five-minute Self Care 
Presented by Kristie Kennedy 
Since deadlines are ever present, goal-driven individuals often overlook self-care. However, the undeniable benefits of having a strong mind, body and spirit are well worth the investment. Your internal success rests on the ladder of health and wellness. Change begins with choice, and your decision holds the power to create a brand new world.
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Avoid Burnout and Goal Fatigue 
Presented by Dr. Jessica Houston 
It’s easy to get burned out. But practicing a few self-care techniques can help leaders cope with the stressors of being in charge. The first step to avoiding burnout is understanding what leads to it. Once you understand the triggers, you’ll be able to manage your energy to keep your physical, emotional and mental well-being intact.

How To Stand Up For Yourself 
Presented by Caroline Gutman 
Sometimes you may need to set the record straight or correct a misrepresentation of facts. But you need to do it at the right time, in the right place and in the right manner — or you risk losing respect and credibility. Learn the skills to keep your cool, modulate your voice and maintain eye contact.

Self-worth and Stepping Into Your Power 
Presented by Lavar Thomas 
There are times when our inner negative conversation takes over and leads us to focus on our setbacks instead of our value. Without regaining control over our thoughts and internal narrative, we can quickly become our own villain. To step into our power, we must recognize our value and then decide to embrace our uniqueness and navigate our leadership journey as our authentic selves.
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Imposter Syndrome 
Presented by Yasmina Hedhli
If you’ve chalked up your success to good luck, felt inadequate at work or feared being exposed as a fraud, you’ve experienced imposter syndrome. You’re not alone. Up to 70% of people experience it. Explore a few strategies to manage imposter syndrome and learn how to contribute to a culture that lessens its likelihood and impact.
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Community as Medicine 
Presented by Dr. Elizabeth Markle 
Social isolation is as bad for your health as smoking approximately 15 cigarettes per day. While most of us go to school to learn math and writing, almost no one gets an education in relating to others or building supportive, connected communities. Explore some techniques for nurturing, nourishing and growing connections and relationships.

Stop Escaping and Start Living 
Presented by Glenda Hoon Russell 
The status quo distracts us with its shiny promises of temporary happiness, which leave us feeling empty. We’re so busy keeping up with someone else’s timeline and dream that we’re left exhausted. And since we naturally want to feel good, we continue to chase temporary happiness. Use these three straightforward tools to question, discover and create a life on your terms. 

Use these resources, including a printable flier, to promote Kiwanis Amplify.

• Download and print a flier that describes Kiwanis Amplify.
• Video: Learn about the program updates for 2024. 
• Video: Get an overview of Kiwanis Amplify: A leadership development program.  
• Video: Hear about Kiwanis Amplify’s leadership development value from past program graduates.   

 Visit kiwanis.org/amplify to register for the program and read FAQs. Please email kiwanisamplify@kiwanis.org with any additional questions.